Mein Blind Date mit dem Leben (My Blind Date with Life)

A hilarious “feel-good” German romantic comedy based on real-life events, My Blind Date with Life has been a big hit for StudioCanal this year, and understandably so. Inspired by a true story, director Marc Rothemund’s comical feature delves into one young man’s struggle with visual impairment and his determination to fulfil his dreams.

Saliya Kahawatte (Kostja Ullmann) appears to have everything going for him – he is young, good-looking, intelligent, and hell-bent on a successful career in the hotel industry. However, Saliya’s life is about to change. After some embarrassing incidents at school, he is informed by a doctor that he has severe problems with his eyes and that he will soon go rapidly blind due to an untreatable hereditary condition. Saliya quickly goes in for surgery to try and save his sight, but is left with only a tiny fraction of his vision, and must swiftly learn to adjust to his heartbreaking new disability. Ignoring the doubts of those around him, our protagonist doggedly continues with his studies at school and even aces his exams. For him, the plan has always been to get on to a prestigious apprenticeship at a luxury hotel in Munich. But what hotel would ever hire him knowing he is blind? For now, Saliya has a crafty solution – he will simply pretend that he can see. How hard could it be?

The film boasts a talented and well-chosen cast, including the stunning Anna Maria Mühe as Laura, Saliya’s love interest, the affable Jacob Matschenz as Max, Saliya’s goofy, womanising friend, and many more. Shot largely in a lavish hotel in Bavaria, amongst other pretty locations, and sporting a host of colourful and noteworthy characters from around the globe, the movie is a holiday for the eyes and ears, enhanced with its appropriately lively soundtrack.

Whilst essentially creating gags out of the difficulties faced by the visually impaired, My Blind Date with Life remains extremely funny and generally lighthearted without allowing itself to become too distasteful or insensitive to serious issues. With its script taking facts from real events and attempting to turn them into a cinematic feature, there are inevitably parts of the story that feel exaggerated, or just plain daft at times. Thankfully, this does not make it any less watchable. This is a refreshing romcom with an unusual twist and serves as an optimistic lesson about solid friendships and willpower, with the kinds of characters we simply can’t help rooting for. It is well worth a watch.

Jo Rogers

Mein Blind Date mit dem Leben (My Blind Date with Life) is released in selected cinemas on 11^th August 2017.

Watch the trailer for Mein Blind Date mit dem Leben (My Blind Date with Life) here: